Eric Update

So much has happened since Monday. I hope I can describe the last few day without rambling too much.

Let's start with Tuesday. That was the day when every thing changed. To start the day off, I couldn't even get Eric to leave the house. He hid under the couch, and then behind his bed. John got him out of hiding and talked to him. It was decided that Eric would stay home from school and I would go get his work and make him do it at home. I went to the school and asked for his work. The principal heard me and came out of his office to talk to me. He told me that he didn't agree with our decision and we were letting Eric win the battle. After talking to the principal for a while, he asked me to go get John and come back and they would find something for the kids to do. I went home and got the family and went back to school where we had the meeting that was planned for Thursday with just the principal. It was determined that maybe the teacher was the problem (of course) since we didn't have any problems in kindergarten with him going to school at all. We all decided that probably the best thing for him was to put him in a different class with a teacher that is willing to work with him and is more structured. We told Eric of the plan after lunch and he seemed hesitant, but happy.

Wednesday the plan was started into action. He had control of the morning (to an extent). Eric got up and got dressed first thing. He had said that he wanted to have breakfast at school so I let him play for about a half hour (have I mentioned that my kids get up early). When it was time to leave, he said he wanted Pop Tarts instead. We didn't have any so we went to the gas station in town (the closest thing we have to a grocery store in town) where I let him pick out his breakfast and drink. We then went to the school and he ate his Pop Tarts and drank his milk as we talked. I told him how long he had until we had to go into the school about every 5 minutes. He was ready to go in about 5 minutes early, but he was nervous. We went to the office, and the gal in the front office took us back to his new classroom where his stuff was waiting for him. We talked to the teacher for a few minutes and he was obviously excited to be there. The main thing I was impressed about was she was more prepared to deal with him than the other teacher was all year. This teacher obviously likes her job and is willing to work with each student where possible.

Today, we met with the new teacher before school. She told us her expectations and explained the motivation chart she had for him and a few other students that needed them. (Hmmm...something to help motivate the kids that need help with that. Do you think that is what some kids need in first grade?) After leaving her class, Eric decided he wanted to go home too. That was just not happening. I think that he was just trying to see if we would go for it since he got to stay home earlier this week. After standing at the gate to the playground for a long time, I took Eric to the front office and left him with the principal.

I hope that our plan works because I just don't think I have the energy to carry him in to the principal every morning until May 22. I guess at least I am getting a work out that way. It would be even more of a work out if I were to carry him the two blocks rather than lock him in the car.

A Sean Moment

Yesterday, I did my weekly grocery shopping. Sean, as always, was begging for this and that for most of the time we were at the store. When we got to the check out he looked at me very seriously and said, "Mom, I have ice in my throat." Confused, I asked what he meant. He calmly said, "I have some ice in my throat. That's why I need Ice Breakers."

This is one of the moments that I am going to have to remember.

THE Call From the School

"Hello...this is Lindsay Unks, from the school. We would like to get together with you this week...to talk about a plan for home and school to work togther..."

This was the message I received from the school counselor this morning while I was in the shower. I called her back as soon as I realized that I had the message (it took me an hour to even think to check).

To say Eric is having difficulty getting to school is an undersatement! He hates school. He thinks he has learned it all. He just doesn't see the point of going day after day when he isn't even learning (or so he thinks).

Let me back up a bit to this morning. This morning started like any other. We cuddled. The kids got dressed. I made breakfast for all the kids and lunch for Eric. When his ride arrived, he started to throw a fit and said that he didn't want to go. I calmly went outside and explained that once again Eric was being difficult and so they should just go ahead and go to school. I would bring him in a bit. (That is right again. This was the fourth or fifth time this has happened this semester.) I then picked up his bag, jacket, and Eric and headed out to the car and drove him to school. Once at the school, I carried him over my shoulder along with his stuff and left him with the very kind and wonderful Mrs. Vickory who was waiting for Eric knowing that he would eventually get there and need an escort to class. That is when I left because I know that they don't take kindly to me being the one to drag him to class. I was told that once he got to class he was so disruptive that he was sent to the special ed room (I am friends with the special ed teacher, and Eric's best friend from kindergarten is her son.) From there, he apparently fled the school. Yes, that is right. The teacher turned her back for just a few minutes. Her room is right next to the doors that lead out to the playground. He ran out there and was going to go home. They got him back in school and he had to talk to the counselor, and she called me to request a meeting. YIKES!

Now I have a meeting scheduled with the counselor, the special ed teacher, the principal, and his teacher on Thursday afternoon. John said he will go with me so I don't feel like they are ganging up on me. Of course that means that I will either have to take Sean and Noel with me or I will have to get someone to watch them for that hour. There are a few ladies form my church that I am pretty sure I can ask. I really hope that I don't have to bring the little guys with me because they will be a huge distraction.

Goal Check

It is that time of week again. Time for me to be accountable for my goals.

Journal writing went OK this last week. The good news is that I got it done on Saturday. The bad news is that Sunday was not so good. I didn't get any journal writing done. Heck, I am just proud of myself for doing it Thursday when I was in so much pain. I will try harder to keep my journal in mind this next weekend though.

Exercising is going good, but not as good as I would like. I did go walking Monday through Friday. Thursday was a short walk, but that is to be expected. I did plan on going Saturday, but there was snow on the ground. In my head that meant that it was too cold to go out. This week I am going to work out all five week days along with my morning walks. (What am I going to do when John goes back to work for a walk?)

We did manage to listen to the Book of Mormon every week day during breakfast. At least I can say that I got that goal accomplished.

As far as getting up goes, I have been getting up most days with only pushing my snooze button once. At least that is an improvement. I think the main reason is because I know that John will be getting up at 6:00, and I want to get at least most of my journaling done before he gets up and need to come into the bathroom (the only room I can be alone in my house).

Lesson Learned

OK. I have had people ask about the burns on my legs. Considering I put most of the details I am willing to share on facebook, this may be a review for many people reading this.

I was looking for an alternative to shaving because I didn't want to have to bring a razor on my mini-vacation in a few week. I was so excited to try it. My sister used to use Nair all of the time and swore by it. I saw that this package of Veet was on clearance for $5.75. I went ahead and bought it.

Wednesday night I was so excited that I would have the chance to try it. I go the kids to bed and went into the bathroom and found my newest treasure. I read enough of the instructions to know how to put it on and how long to leave it on. I did see that the longest part of the instructions was labeled "precautions". I just figured that part was the dumby rules that I didn't need. I knew it was for external use only. What more did I need to know? The answer to that question is I needed to know not to use that product within 72 hours of shaving. OH NO! Since I didn't have the time before church on Sunday, I had shaved my thighs on either Monday or Tuesday (which ever day it was bugging me). That was not long enough. The result was my legs started to burn. I quickly washed the rest of the cream off of my legs. When it wasn't coming off fast enough, I got a bar of soap and a wash cloth to aid my efforts. When I knew that the stuff was all off, I got a big cup of water and continually dumped water on my thighs. I was in some real pain.

Thursday I spent most of the day in pain and very tired because I hadn't slept much the night before. The heat and pain in my legs made the rest of my body cold. I didn't even think of taking Advil until after my nap. The Advil helped. Eventually I figured out that despite my natural response pain, the more I moved the better my legs felt.

This morning I noticed that I have scabs where my burns were. The funny thing is that the parts that hurt the most, have the least scabs.

The lesson to be learned from this lesson is READ ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS.

My Crazy Week

I was thinking in the shower this morining (because that is the only place I can be alone with my thoughts) about how my week has gone. I realized that Tuesday and today (so far) have been my only calm days.

Monday, I was suffering from some of the bad side effects of my thyroid medicine. Yep that is right. I have been taking that medicine for about 3 weeks and the side effects still creep in sometimes. Luckily, it was not something that took away from my duties around the house.

Wednesday, Noel woke from a nearly sleepless night with a fever and a nasty cough. That meant that I had to cancel my baby-sitting and exercise plans.

Thursday, I was suffering from the pain of burning legs. I had burned my legs the night before after not reading all of the instructions on a Veet bottle. I ended up with my thighs having chemical burns. I was lucky that it was only about as bad as a sunburn. I was in pain most of the day. The burns made the rest of my body cold. I didn't sleep much the night before because I couldn't get comfortable.

Yes, I do realize that two of the three things are problems that I had. I can at least say that my Monday and Wednesday were not any one's fault. I wish I could say the same about Thursday. I am hoping that the rest of my week goes better and smoother.

Why Do I Get Up So Early?

I have had a few people make comments about my goal of getting up at 5:30. Am I insane to want this or do I have a purpose? The answer may be both. I really do have an objective in all of this. I have certain goals that are near impossible to accomplish while my children are away, and by the time they go to bed I no longer have the motivation to try to get those things done. Here is a basic outline of what I try to accomplish in the morning and what the rest of my day is like.

5:30 (ish)
wake-up and take medicine
Prayer Journal
Read Scriptures
Scripture Journal
Personal Journal
6:00 or 6:15 (depending on when I finally drag myself out of bed an how long the journals take)
exercise (while John is home for a while I am walking)
6:45 (ish)
at least one of my kids is up and ready for "cuddle time"
cuddle each child
7:00
make sure any children still sleeping get woken up (usually it is just Eric at this point)
cuddle with that child
7:15
breakfast
make kids get dressed
make Eric's lunch
make sure kids brush their teeth
get Eric to school by 8:15 (luckily Eric has been riding to school with his friend Ethan lately)
8:15 or 8:30 (depending on if I take Eric to school or he gets a ride)
work-out with friend
start a movie for Sean and Noel
take a shower
clean kitchen
clean dining room
clean living room
and the list of stuff needed to be cleaned goes on

The rest of my day varies depending on the day and who needs to be picked up, what bills need to be paid and the other things that make life fun. Before I know it, it is time to pick up Eric from school and get him started on homework.

Remembering my days in high school being told that I couldn't do a report saying that my chosen profession would be a mom because that is not a real job just makes me laugh. I know that moms that work outside the home are busy too, but I do have a real job right here taking care of my home and my kids. I am have more resoponsibility now than I ever did before. I get paid in love.

Goal Check

I think that the goals are getting harder to work on each week. Either that or I think that I can just "do it later" too often.

I am sad to say that I actually missed a day of journal writing. I had a hard time sleeping that night, but that could just be because Noel wasn't sleeping. It threw my whole day off. I really need to be better at getting up and getting stuff done when I don't have to get Eric to school. Saturdays are the absolute worst.

I didn't do so great at exercising either. I only exercised Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. This one would be easy to blame my exercise partner on, but I won't. Even when she is not feeling well, I can exercise on my own. I was doing it before she started coming over to work out, and I can do it now. I am going to try this week getting out and walking every morning. That way, if my work-out-buddy does come over I will get in a great day of exercise. If she doesn't then at least I got something accomplished in that department.

Do I really have to report on my Book of Mormon goal? I am going to say,"YES!" This was another thing that we did great at Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Thursday breakfast went in a blur. Before I knew it my kids were done. I told myself that I would turn it on at dinner time, but I forgo that too. Friday, Eric was home from school. I just didn't think about it. On Sunday, after church, the kids asked to listen to it during lunch. Who am I to argue with that?

Ahhh...waking up. I gave up on the idea of getting up at 5:30 quickly last week. I changed my alarm to 6:00 for the remainder of the week.

I am vowing right here and now that I will do better at all of my goal. I will write in my journals every day. I will work out 5 days this week. I will have the Book of Mormon playing while the kids eat their breakfast. I will get up at 5:30 so that I can get my stuff done before the kids wake. I already have a good start. I accomplished all of these things today! I AM NOT GIVING UP ON MYSELF!

3:45 P.M.

I had a realization today. It is not just because Eric gets home from school that he kids get crazy around that time. There is something in them that makes them jump off of furniture and yell everything they are saying and do "kung foo" moves on each other (yes the girls are just as bad as the boys). I had this realization because Eric did not have school today, but just like clock work they were all jumping off of the walls (almost literally). My solution was to make them put on their shoes and coats and go outside. They even got rewarded with hot chocolate upon their return. Sean thought he could skip the going outside part, but I stood my ground. They were aloud to come in when they were cold (I'm not cruel) and get their treat. Noel only lasted about 10 minutes (she doesn't like cold). Eric and Haley, the little girl I watch, stayed outside playing with each other for about a half hour. (I was surprised too!) Sean waited until all of the other kids were inside to go outside, but he still lasted about 20 minutes. They have been so much calmer since they came in. I just may do this everyday.

Pheonix Here I Come!

John is taking a while off of work to write his book and we are going to live on our tax return for that time. What do I get to do? I get to go have fun with my Aunt Linda and my cousins in Phoenix for a week end with NO KIDS! I am so exited!

My flight plan:

Leave Friday, March 6, 2009
US Airways 586 Economy Boeing 737-300 Passenger (733) 2hr 1min 590 miles
Depart:
8:15am
Denver, CO Denver International (DEN)
Arrive:
10:16am
Phoenix, AZ Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX)

Return Monday, March 9, 2009
Frontier Airlines 860 Economy Airbus Industrie A319 (319) 1hr 45min 590 miles
Depart:
7:30pm
Phoenix, AZ Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl (PHX)
Arrive:
10:15pm
Denver, CO Denver International (DEN)

Proof My Son is Smart

We were also told that when he was tested for math he scored a 2.8. No wonder he doesn't want to do the work. He is bored.

Goal Check

This last week was a bit of a struggle for me. I was in a sour mood for most of the weekend (yes, I am human).

I did manage to get my journaling done everyday. On Saturday, I didn't do it until about 11:30 at night, but heck it got done that day.

I did my exercising most of the days. On Friday, I was in a really bad mood and only managed to get about 17 minutes in on the Gazelle, and I did nothing else. Saturday was a big struggle to get things done. I couldn't drag myself out of bed. Then, we ended up gone for a good portion of the day. Sunday was Sunday. I don't really want to work out on Sunday to begin with, it being the day of rest and all. So I accomplished 4 days of real exercise and one day of half hearted exercise.

We did manage to listen to the Book of Mormon all 5 days at breakfast time. The boys have stopped fighting me on this one. They look forward to writing the next chapter on the wipe board when we are done.

As far as getting up with my alarm, I did it twice last week. The morning comes too fast for me sometimes. I am committed to accomplishing the goal of getting up at 5:30 at least 3 days a week though. I am going to work harder at getting up this week.

My Morning

I got up late to start with this morning, so I didn't worked out until this afternoon. Then, I had to literally fight Eric to get him to get dressed this morning, promising that if he wasn't dressed by the time my shoes and socks were on, I was going to just put his shoes and socks on him and take him to school in his jammies. That got him dressed, but he was still 5 min. late to school. I signed him in at the office, and then he refused to go to class. I signed my self in so I could take him, and he ran out the front door. I had to literally drag him to class. He still wouldn't go in. Finally, Mrs. Vickory came down the hall with another para that I don't know, and told me that they would take care of him and I could go. I thanked them and left.

When Eric got home there were three papers from the school counselor in his bag for me to read about separation anxiety and morning routines. As if I didn't already feel like a failure as a parent while I was dragging him to class, now I have papers from the school to prove that they think that too.

Eric Got an Award!

Yesterday when I picked Eric up from school he told me how much work he got done in school so that he could get his reward and that he didn't have any homework, so I didn't even check his bag until this morning when I was looking for his lunch bag. To my surprise there was an award in there. I didn't even know that the school had their awards ceremony yesterday. Eric, my child who has been having a hard time adjusting to being in school, got an Awesome Author award! When I got excited this morning he got excited too and told me all about it. He said he got the award because he writes good sentences and draws good pictures. I am so proud of him!

My First

I was tagged by Jami.

I don't know any mom who doesn't like to remember out loud! What can you remember about your first born?

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? not really, we had stopped trying due to lack of insurance
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? very married
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? excited and shocked
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Absolutely Not
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 22
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? I got a test at the store, didn't believe it, got like 3 more, they were all positive.
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? John I believe.
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? yes and no, but we did find out
9. DUE DATE? January 13, 2002
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? not really. I was dizzy a lot and the though of food made me queasy, but I never threw up
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? candy
12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? my sister. she thought it was GREAT to take picture of my belly a few weeks before Eric was born. I really didn't like the fact that I was so big, and didn't want people to point it out. (If only I knew how big I would get with the next two).
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy.
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? not once he was born, but I was convinced I was having a girl until the ultrasound
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? I think it was about 25 lbs.
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? of course
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? no. there were so many people that wanted to throw me a show, I had to decide who was hosting it
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? he was breach
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Exempla St. Joseph Hospital in Denver
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? I was never in labor. He was a planned c-section due to the fact that he was breech
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? John of course
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? John was at my head and saw some of the surgery, but I don't think he watched the actual birth because the blood made him queasy
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? c-section, but I have had 2 successful VBAC's since
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? I would hope so.
24. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 6 lbs. 1 oz.25.
WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? January 10, 2002 at 11:34am
26. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Eric Matthew (he he...I only had to change the first name)
27. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 7 years old, but I can't possibly be old enough to have a 7 year old.

25 More Things

While reading Krista's blog, I realized that I, too, just hurried through my 25 things on Facebook. When I have thought through it more, there are more things that I don't mind sharing about myself. I only have a few people that read my blog compared to the over 100 people that could possibly be reading stuff on Facebook.

1. I LOVE reading other people's blogs. I am always in search of more blogs to read. I have been known to read blogs of people I know and not comment on them because I am not sure they really want me to be reading it. I know. I am a bit weird.

2. I was not married in the temple at first. We were married in a grove of trees behind the church building and went to the temple a year and a half later on my mom's birthday.

3. I actually only had one PLANNED pregnancy. I had been trying to get pregnant for two and a half years before I got pregnant with Eric, but I had left my job and had no insurance and was not trying to get pregnant any more when I got pregnant with him. I didn't believe that I could get pregnant very easily and was not using birth control when Sean was conceived. Noel was my one planned pregnancy. I was off of birth control for one month when I conceived her. Go figure.

4. I am in a process of self discovery through prayer and journal writing and many small goals that I am not only making but accomplishing. I hope to continue my journey throughout the year.

5. I like my house, but I am not too fond of how far away from the mountains we are. I know that I am not as far away as some people, but I lived in the Arvada area for so long. I think if we ever move it will be into the mountains.

6. I was signed up all ready to go to college in Pueblo, but John asked me to stay so I did.

7. I have days that I wish I didn't have to take care of kids. I feel guilty for this because I chose the life of a stay-at-home mom. This is definitely the hardest job I have ever had!

8. My biggest fear is that I will fail at being a mother.

9. I take all of my kids accomplishment and struggles personally. If they do good at something, I feel like it is because I have taught them well. If they don't I wonder what I could have done to make them do better.

10. I miss my mom more than anything, but I believe that I wouldn't have my hubby or kids if she hadn't died.

11. I see my self as a forgettable person.

12. I love the way my house looks when it is clean, but hate the process of cleaning it. That means I don't clean it as often as I should.

13. I am really good at making bread. I sometimes wish that people would ask me to teach them how to make bread, but I don't really have the patience to teach anyone how.

14. My nickname in high school was Pookie. It was given to be by one of my best friends and it just stuck.

15. I remember names and faces really well, but I don't like admitting it when it is obvious that the other person doesn't remember me.

16. I remember at least the month of most birthdays that I have been told, and a lot of the time I remember the day as well.

17. While my long term memory is good, my short term memory sucks (that would be why I can lose my keys in my purse).

18. I would love to have two more kids as long as I can guarantee that one would be a girl.

19. I am the kind of parent that thinks I can do a better job taking care of and teaching my kids better than anyone else. I think that is the reason I don't like sending Eric to school.

20. I have a fear of my kids hating me.

21. I often wish that I had kept up with different friends after high school. I think if I had made different choices, I would have kept those friends. I am glad that I stay with John though.

22. As off key as it is, I love it when my dad sings the Indiana State song to my kids. I know it is his way of comforting them, and there is nothing sweeter than that.

23. I feel guilty for teasing my dad for doing sign language in church. I really wish that he still signed hymns.

24. I have so far taught two of my kids to read when they were 4. While, logically, I realize that this is early, I am surprised when I find out that other kids can't read yet when they start kindergarten.

25. I am very lenient with Noel. She is the baby, and I don't have the excuse of I need to take care of the baby when she wants me. It drives me crazy sometimes that she is so clingy, but at the same time I want to keep her close to me for as long as possible.

Wow! I can't believe I actually did it!

100th Day

Today was the 100th day of school. This is celebrated in Eric's world. At school, they get to do fun projects that revolve around the number 100. Today he made a 100th Day book, a train (made with 100 Fruit Loops), and he did a writing project that described what he thinks he will be like when he is 100.

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Goal Check

OK. It is Monday again. Time for my weekly goal check. I have to keep doing this or I am likely to stop working so hard on.

The journal writing has been a great help in my life! I am happy to say that I have written in my journal everyday since December 30. I have found that my day goes a lot smoother when I get up in the morning and get them done before the kids wake up rather than sleeping in on the weekends and fitting in one journal at a time when I can squeeze it in.

When it comes to exercising, I am doing great. I managed to get some form of exercise in everyday last week! Friday was difficult for me because I had done an intense kick boxing work out on Thursday, and I was very sore. I did, however, manage to get in 20 minutes on the Gazelle. It was only about 1.5 miles, but I worked hard for those 1.5 miles considering my legs hurt so much that I had a hard time sitting down.

When it comes to listening to the Book of Mormon in the morning, we have been doing good. I seem to only remember on the week days when Eric has to go to school, but I figure that is better than before. I have started writing what chapter we are on on the wipe board by my desk so that we stop repeating the same chapter. This also works as a reminder.

My new goal for this week is to get up with my alarm at least 3 day. This means up at 5:30. I will not push the snooze button. This is going to be my toughest goal! I am not a morning person!